Need to get the ball rolling on this, so I am seeking input from anyone interested. The Southern California High School Cycling League, a chapter of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), is a relatively young, but quickly expanding, organization. Schools across the Los Angeles and Inland Empire region have teams in place, with others in the planning stages. On our own doorstep, Webb was to field a team this year, so why not Claremont High as well?
The Southern California league holds competitions in the Spring (some states have a Fall league to avoid inclement weather), with races spread out around the region. Locations for this years races, which begin at the end of February, include Temecula (Vail Lake), Yucaipa, Lake Isabela, Lake Arrowhead, and the state championships, held at Los Olivos. A team requires a commitment on the part of students to train and race, as well as one on the part of parents, faculty and other volunteers.
I have taken some initial steps in the process, sat in on a How to Start webinar, passed the USA Cycling coaches exam (although NICA requires its own certification), and am now seeking some feedback from the student community. Is there interest from current or future students? I know there are a lot of good young mountain bikers locally, and trails to train on are readily available. Are you a parent who could help with this? A teacher or administrator with input? Do you know someone who might be interested (as a racer or volunteer), let them know. Leave a comment and let me know, or click on my profile at the right and send an email. My own son will be starting at Claremont High in the Fall (and he does ride), so now is as good a time as any to get this going. Give me some feedback so I can gauge the interest; without that nothing happens.
If you have not seen it yet, this is a nice little video about the first year experiences of the John Burroughs High School (Burbank) Mountain Bike Team:
This is great. Where does it stand at this point? We have the area to train for sure. My kids went through Claremont a few years back.
ReplyDeleteRudi, I agree - so many places to ride nearby, it seems like a natural to get a team going here. I was talking briefly with the director of the SoCal League, who said there was some recent talk about starting a team at Claremont HS, which fell through. Anyway, the team wouldn't start until next season, so there is some time to play with and I will keep looking for riders/volunteers who might be interested.
ReplyDelete